The following are summaries of today's major stories published in the
Arabic press. LBCI does not edit press digest articles for content, giving
English-language readers insight into the various views expressed in newspapers
across the Arab world.
Sources told
As-Safir newspaper that a prominent European capital reported to
Lebanese officials that Western powers are seeking the extension of the
Parliament’s mandate and the mandates of the Lebanese
Internal Security Forces (ISF) Major General Ashraf Rifi, and LAF Commander General Jean Kahwagi in order to
extend the mandate of President Michel Sleiman.
The sources pointed out that
America’s and Europe’s priorities are currently the events taking place in the
Arab world, mainly in Syria, and in the new war against the al-Qaeda in Mali and
Al-Nusra front in Syria.
In this context, a European
official was quoted as saying that there is no time to follow up on the
Lebanese details and what is important is to maintain political stability.
National Struggle Front MP Akram
Chahayyeb said that communications between the NSF and the Future Movement are
continuous in order to reach a hybrid electoral law.
Regarding the efforts exerted by
President Michel Sleiman, MP Chehayyeb expressed to Al-Mustaqbal newspaper his reliability on Sleiman’s perception
and knowledge to combine Lebanese people since he is the guardian of the
constitution and the Lebanese institutions.
Chehayyeb added that this is not the
first time that the president seeks such efforts since he previously called for
national dialogue sessions.
Regarding the meeting which took
place in Bkerke, MP Chehayyeb said that the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara
Boutrous Rai called for this meeting in order to preserve coexistence and
maintain the state and its institutions.
An-Nahar newspaper said on Saturday
that a security apparatus prepared in the past few days a report that it will
refer to the 3 top officials.
In this context, the Daily said that
the report reveals the names of 37 members involved in kidnapping issues and
mentioned that they are Lebanese, Palestinians, and Syrians.
As for the security apparatus, it
said that members of the kidnap gang are cooperating with young persons in
exchange of money and are managing their operations from their towns in the
Southern Suburbs of Beirut.
Future Bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told
An-Nahar newspaper that the draft law which
was submitted by the bloc and referred to the government by Speaker Nabih Berri
does not stipulate the formation of a Senate since it requires constitutional
amendments.
In this context, MP Fatfat questioned the fact that the government may mull the
Future proposal at a time it didn’t consider the Orthodox Gathering electoral
proposal.
MP Ammar Houri said that the Future
Bloc made various concessions in order to reach an electoral law agreed upon by
all Lebanese factions and added that the Bloc takes into account the concerns
of the Christians in regards to ensuring proper representation.
MP Houri told
Al-Liwaa newspaper
that the other Lebanese parties should find a solution for this crisis since
the Future bloc presented the initiative of Former PM Saad Hariri, and the
electoral proposal presented by MP Ahmad Fatfat.
As for the contacts conducted among
March14 forces, MP Houri said that contacts were mainly to evaluate the current
situation.
“We are keen on repairing the damage
caused by allies upon voting to the Orthodox Gathering electoral draft," MP
Houri said.
Sources close to President Michel Sleiman and Kataeb Leader Amine Gemayel told
Al-Joumhouria
newspaper that yesterday’s meeting between Sleiman and Gemayel was good and
positive.
During the meeting, the 2 officials brought up many files,
especially the security file and highlighted the importance of implementing the
Baabda declaration in regards to Lebanon’s dissociation in order to avoid the Syrian
repercussions.
The Daily added that the officials also discussed exerted efforts to reach a consensual
electoral law and tackled the parties’ stances in this regard as well as the importance
of establishing a new law away from the need to extend the Parliament’s
mandate.